New Jersey is renowned for its beautiful shorelines, vibrant cities, and affluent suburbs. However, beneath the surface of the Garden State’s charm are several small towns grappling with high crime rates and public safety challenges. In 2025, certain smaller communities within New Jersey stand out due to pronounced issues with violent and property crime, marking them as some of the most dangerous places to live or visit in the state. This article highlights 12 such small towns, providing essential details about their locations and crime profiles.
1. Camden – Camden County
Camden consistently ranks as the most dangerous city in New Jersey and one of the most crime-ridden cities in the entire United States. Located just across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, Camden is home to about 74,000 residents.
It experiences an alarming violent crime rate of roughly 1,640 per 100,000 people, with frequent robberies, assaults, and shootings. Poverty and economic challenges drive much of its crime issues, which include a high car theft rate. Camden’s public safety efforts continue to focus on reducing violence but the city remains a significant concern for residents and visitors alike.
2. Atlantic City – Atlantic County
Famous for its casinos and boardwalk, Atlantic City also struggles with high crime rates. Despite its tourism allure, the city logged a violent crime rate of about 1,690 per 100,000 residents, including frequent assaults and thefts, especially during the busy summer season. The small geographic area means crime often occurs in close proximity to large crowds, impacting safety perception. Atlantic City’s property crime rate also remains high, with issues related to vehicle theft and burglary frequently reported.
3. Trenton – Mercer County
New Jersey’s capital city, Trenton, faces persistent violence and property crime problems. Violent crime rates hover around 1,160 incidents per 100,000 residents, including aggravated assault, robbery, and shootings. Certain neighborhoods such as South Ward and Wilbur have higher crime clusters. Economic struggles and limited police presence contribute to ongoing public safety concerns, making Trenton a challenging environment despite municipal efforts.
4. Paterson – Passaic County
Paterson is another small city grappling with violent crime and property theft. With a population just under 150,000, its crime density remains high, including over 1,000 reported car thefts annually. Certain areas like Totowa Avenue and Main Street see frequent robberies and other violent offenses. Paterson’s diverse community faces economic hardships that correlate with its ongoing crime problems.
5. Newark – Essex County
Newark is New Jersey’s largest city but maintains pockets of elevated crime rates, especially in the South Ward. Violent crimes including shootings, carjackings, and robberies are noteworthy concerns, with some neighborhoods disproportionately affected. The property crime rate also remains substantial, featuring package thefts and vehicle burglaries. Newark’s crime profile is complex due to its size and urban challenges.
6. Elizabeth – Union County
Elizabeth ranks high in violent and property crime, with rates significantly exceeding state averages. This small city has crime issues ranging from larceny to serious assaults. With a population around 137,000, property thefts such as burglaries and auto theft are common, and the city’s waterfront port area sees concentrated incidents. Elizabeth’s dense urban environment and economic disparities contribute to safety challenges.
7. Asbury Park – Monmouth County
Once a thriving beach resort town, Asbury Park’s crime problems escalated in past decades, though recent revitalization has helped. Still, with a small population of about 15,000, Asbury Park sees high rates of violent and property crime for its size. Incidents include assaults, theft, and auto break-ins, creating a security concern particularly for visitors during summer months.
8. Irvington – Essex County
Irvington is a close-knit community near Newark but faces high crime rates, including violent assaults and robberies. The town’s challenges have worsened over recent years, resulting in areas that outsiders often avoid for safety reasons. While the population is relatively small, the crime volume and severity are disproportionately high, impacting quality of life and local business development.
9. East Orange – Essex County
East Orange experiences significant crime rates, particularly violent crime, and ranks among New Jersey’s most dangerous smaller cities. The city struggles with gang violence, shootings, and property crimes like burglaries. Its proximity to Newark places East Orange in the same regional public safety issues landscape, with dense urban settings amplifying challenges.
10. Passaic – Passaic County
Passaic is a small city with crime rates well above average, facing common urban crime problems such as violent robberies and vehicle theft. The city maintains active law enforcement efforts yet the socio-economic dynamics contribute to persistent crime pockets. Residents often report concerns about safety in concentrated neighborhoods.
11. Bridgeton – Cumberland County
Bridgeton, located in southern New Jersey, is a smaller city with a notably high crime rate relative to its population size. Violent crimes and property thefts are frequent, with economic distress and limited employment opportunities underlying much of its challenges. Bridgeton’s rural-suburban blend creates unique policing dynamics but struggles persist.
12. Bloomfield – Essex County
Bloomfield is a suburban township with some dangerous neighborhoods that contribute to fluctuating crime rates. While parts of Bloomfield are relatively safe, certain areas experience increased incidents of assault and robbery, leading the township to remain on the radar for crime in the region. As a New York City commuter town, the transient population adds complexity to public safety.
These 12 towns in New Jersey illustrate the complexity of crime challenges in smaller municipalities. Many are close to major urban centers and share in the socio-economic difficulties that fuel crime. Despite concerted law enforcement and community efforts, residents and visitors in these towns face elevated risks, requiring continued attention and investment in safety resources. While New Jersey remains one of the safest states overall, awareness of these hotspots remains important to understand the nuanced landscape of crime across the region.
Sources
(https://reolink.com/blog/most-dangerous-cities-in-new-jersey/)
(https://www.travelsafe-abroad.com/most-dangerous-cities-in-new-jersey/)
(https://www.tsiglerlaw.com/blog/new-jersey-crime-rate-by-city/)
(https://www.safehome.org/safest-cities/nj/)
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_mnzb6E3oU)
